Woman bitten by Victoria police dog on hunt for break-in suspects

Victoria police are expressing regret after a woman was bitten by a police dog Wednesday morning.

Victoria police dogs and their handlers were deployed to help track suspects, after Rosie’s Cold Beer & Wine store at 3020 Blanshard St. was broken into around 1 a.m.

During the search, a leashed police dog bit a 46-year-old Victoria woman who was laying in the bushes.

The woman, who police say wasn’t a suspect in the break-in, was taken to hospital and later released after receiving treatment for injuries to her arm.

The biting incident was investigated by Victoria police detectives and forensic identification officers. The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner was immediately notified. It provides civilian oversight when complaints involve municipal police in B.C.

“VicPD regrets what happened to the woman and to all members of our community who may be affected by this,” Const. Mike Russell, Victoria police spokesperson, said in a statement.